On the wide plains of Saskatchewan, Jake Leguee runs a farm that reflects both deep roots and rapid change. His family’s connection to the land stretches back to 1956, when his grandfather purchased 640 acres. Nearly seven decades later, that modest beginning has expanded into a 17,000-acre operation producing green lentils, canola, flax, and wheat.
To stay competitive, Leguee has invested heavily in precision technology, especially for spraying crops. His John Deere tractor is equipped with cameras and software that identify weeds in real time. As the machine moves across the field at about 15 miles per hour, individual nozzles activate only when unwanted plants are detected.
The approach reduces chemical use compared with traditional methods that treat entire fields evenly. Leguee says the savings add up quickly, making the investment worthwhile. He also points out that innovation does not always mean expensive machinery. Sometimes it is as simple as adopting a digital record-keeping app that helps track inputs and yields more accurately.
Across North America, many farmers are reaching similar conclusions. A McKinsey survey published in 2024 found that 57% of farmers in the region plan to experiment with new technologies designed to boost production within the next two years. Data from the U.S. Agriculture Department shows that while the total number of farms has declined, those still operating are relying more heavily on advanced tools and systems.
In Vermont, Norah Lake manages Sweetland Farms, where vegetables and pasture-raised meat are produced on a smaller scale. She describes farming as a constant cycle of planning, reviewing results, and adjusting strategies. For years, she relied on spreadsheets to compare harvest figures from one season to another. She wanted clear answers to practical questions, such as how much broccoli came from a specific planting area.
Lake has adopted farm management software from Tend. The platform allows her to enter harvest data and receive guidance on future planting and resource needs. From her phone or laptop, she can calculate how much seed to order based on the length of rows she plans to grow. The goal, she says, is to simplify tasks that once took hours.
Large agricultural companies are also pushing digital solutions. Swiss-based Syngenta offers a platform called Cropwise, which combines satellite images with AI to monitor fields. According to the company, the system can flag trouble spots, such as pest infestations, and draw on decades of weather records to predict outcomes. That insight can help farmers prepare for threats like sudden frosts before damage occurs.
The ripple effects may extend beyond the farm gate, according to agronomist Heather Darby. She notes that improved efficiency could increase food supply and help stabilize prices for consumers. Reducing the risk of crop loss, she adds, supports a more dependable food system.
Leguee observes a generational divide. Younger producers tend to adopt new tools more readily, while others remain cautious. Still, he believes adaptation is essential. Farming today, he says, often involves managing multi-million-dollar enterprises that support entire families. Treating it as a business, he argues, is what allows it to remain a sustainable way of life.
As even more advanced technologies from innovators at entities like D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) are commercialized, the agricultural sector could witness even more disruption as tech solutions help farmers to address the evolving challenges that they face.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/QBTS
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